Chemistry research team members to receive award

Chemistry department research team members supported by the Center for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Wake Forest have been selected to receive the SERMACS Industrial Innovation Award.

They are Abdou Lachgar, professor of chemistry; Marcus Wright, NMR laboratory manager; Chinmay Deshmane (a former post-doctoral fellow in Lachgar’s group); and Brian Hanson, a Virginia Tech faculty member who was part of the research team.

The award will be presented at the 2015 joint Southeast and Southwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS-SWRM) to be held Nov. 6 in Memphis, Tenn. The award consists of a cash award of $1,000 to be split among the awardees, travel and meeting stipend, and a memorial plaque with the group’s name recognizing this accomplishment.

Lachgar’s research team is being recognized for its work related to the production of biodiesel from low-quality feedstock.

The Innovation Award was created to recognize, encourage, and stimulate industrial innovation in the Southeastern Region. The award celebrates the successful innovations of industrial chemists and chemical engineers who contribute to the health of their local and regional economy and the corporate leadership for its advancement of a healthy economy. Awards are given to individuals and teams whose creative innovations have contributed to the commercial success of their institution and, consequently, to the good of the community and society.